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To breastfeed or to not?

It turns out that my LO has or had a virus that causes sever diarrhea. The diarrhea has almost cleared up, but he is now left with bloody, mucousy stool. The doctor said that it is due to the inflamation in the intestine from the diarrhea, and that it will take time to heal. NOW...my doctor advised me to stop breastfeeding my baby until the diarrhea has completely cleared up. Apparently, the lactose that breastmilk contains can further irritate the bowls. However, everything that I have read online has said to continue to breastfeed because it can actually help speed up recovery. I was just wondering if any one has been in this situation and what their doctor has said....

Re: To breastfeed or to not?

Breastmilk is much better on your baby's insides and you are absolutely right, it does speed up recovery. A lot of doctors are misinformed. They are relying on information that is outdated.

There are a lot of people pushing formula - because basically the reality is that there is money to be made from it. When formula is purchased someone is getting paid. The more formula bought, the more donated to hospitals, which encourages more sales, which encourages more donations.... Formula companies also give money to help with research in other areas, but there is a trade off: posters in the clinic lobby, free samples to give to new moms, etc.

Breastmilk is the best thing for your baby, especially when he/she is sick.

~Jenn~

mother of 2 boys!08/14/98~~03/20/08Birth: 7lbs 12oz, 1 year: 22lbs 11oz until he self-weaned 4 days before his third birthday ... still on occasion ... and happily ************************************************** ************************************************** *****************People need to understand that when they're deciding between breastmilk and formula, they're not deciding between Coke and Pepsi.... They're choosing between a live, pure substance and a dead substance made with the cheapest oils available. ~Chele Marmet

Re: To breastfeed or to not?

My LO had something very similar when she was about 5 weeks old. Big green mucousy diarrhea, which my dr diagnosed as a virus. The advice I got was to keep breastfeeding, and actually to offer the breast more often than usual to avoid dehydration. Yes, the dr did tell me that her digestive system was irritated, and that the irritation would last for several weeks after the virus cleared up--but that was normal and it took time to heal. Sure, the irritation makes the intestinal lining more sensitive to everything, including the lactose in BM. But formula would be much, much, much worse--much more irritating. And BM has a better electrolyte balance than formula.

After my LO's diarrhea cleared, she was also left with mucousy poops. It turns out she was sensitive to many foods in my diet, and when I cut the foods the mucus, blood and other symptoms disappeared almost completely. Now... maybe it was a coincidence... but sometimes I think she never had a virus to begin with, but rather it was the first manifestation of her food sensitivities. Just my mom-opinion....

Re: To breastfeed or to not?

I would continue to breastfeed. If you stop it will be much harder to start again. If there is something in your diet that is irritating baby's tummy then you can work to eliminate that but there is no reason baby shouldn't be able to keep getting your milk.